Thanksgiving 2011

Happy Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful day. I think Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for sure.

We had a lazy morning (we went to our Church's Thanksgiving service last night) before heading up to my Grandpa and Grandma Stegink's house for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. And the traditional Thanksgiving day "watch the Lion's lose" Lion's game. The dinner was great. The kids ate pretty well, but Hope wins the prize for the enjoying her food the most. She just sat and slowly ate her food, savoring every bite. She especially liked the turkey. The afternoon was relaxing - looking at ads, watching the football game, hanging out and conversing with relatives. Tiffany (my littlest cousin) loves little kids and she pretty much entertained Hope and Samuel for the whole afternoon. I'm still trying to figure out how I can get her to come and live at my house. The above pictures is of Tif and the kids - she was reading books to them. Aliyah slept in until like 10:30 so I ended up not laying her down for a nap. Hope had a late nap/rest time (otherwise she is impossible to manage in the evenings) before we headed off to my Mom's side of the family!

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom's side of the family. We've never done it on Thanksgiving before but this year we had to because my cousin Kristi is getting married down in Florida on December 17 and so that messed with the traditional Christmas plans.

All of the kids got one of the Hallmark interactive animals that talk when you read their stories to them. They are super cute! Samuel laughed and laughed the first time we read him his story and Jingle barked along.

Aunt Anna reading Aliyah her story about Cooper the Bear.

Samuel got the duplo camping/fishing set. My favorite part about this picture is my Grandpa's and Grandma's faces. They just adore their great-grandkids!

Hope got the Melissa and Doug cookie baking set. It is so cute and has already caused numerous fights between all 3 of the kids.

Nick and Kristi trying out Cambry's book and talking rabbit. Cambry is my cousin Andrew's little girl. He and his wife Trisha are both so sweet - it's fun to watch them with a little baby!

Aliyah got the duplo pet shop and the duplo zoo. My Aunt Sandy absolutely spoils my kids!

Aliyah with her penguin ornament from Aunt Sandy. She is in love with penguins (she calls them "waddle") and refused to let anyone even so much as touch her penguin ornament!

Samuel got a Thomas the Train and Toby. He told us later that these were his favorite presents. I have no doubt!!

Aliyah's already getting the hang of opening presents!

This is Hope's new doll from my grandparents that Aliyah absolutely had to have. Thankfully, Hope is gracious and let Aliyah hold her for a little bit. Aliyah had an all out temper tantrum when Hope opened the baby because she wanted it. She kept crying "bee!! bee!!" I think Hope got sick of the crying and decided to just let her have it!

My grandparents. Aren't they adorable?

Meeting Cambry. Aliyah was fascinated with her and didn't want her out of her sight!

A little conversation happening between Aliyah and Cambry. So sweet!!

And that was our Thanksgiving!!